Descriptions

The purpose of this study is to describe Dungeness crab marketing
from the ocean floor to the ultimate consumer; to identify
relations among the Oregon Dungeness crab industry, the Pacific
Coast Dungeness crab industry, and the Alaska King crab industry;
and to specify the relationships between fishermen's prices for
Dungeness crab and levels of Oregon production, levels of total U.S.
Dungeness crab production, levels of King crab production, and
King crab prices.
Primary data were gathered from fishermen, processors, state
fish agencies, and the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. Secondary
sources were utilized to gain general information on King crab fishing
and processing.
Dungeness crab is usually sold by fishermen to processors.
Processors generally sell the crab through brokers to fish
wholesalers, but they may also sell directly to fish wholesalers or
retailers.
A definite seasonal trend was found in prices received by fishermen.
However, cyclical movements have a much greater impact
upon absolute price levels received by fishermen. Total catch of
Dungeness crab and King crab prices were found to play important
roles in determining prices received by Oregon Dungeness crab
fishermen.
It is concluded from the analysis that: (1) an industry-wide
commission is needed to advertise and promote Dungeness crab
products; (2) the ocean fishing season should be opened January 1
instead of December 1 of each year; (3) processors should endeavor
to expand into new marketing areas to increase demand for their
products; (4) grades and quality standards should be established;
and (5) further research is needed in the technological, biological,
and economic aspects of Dungeness crab production and marketing.